Thermic interrupter for electrical current



June 21, 1932. R F, ZlMMERMANN 1,864,395

THERMIC INTERRUPTER FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT Filed June 27, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l I .L I I I I J/ ""1" I "1! :I i; 1 I! l: 1 l H I I I l I: :l r a h I H \l 1 L ""II F Cittorheg R. F. ZIMMERMANN THERMIC INTERRUPTER FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT June 21, 1932.

Filed June 27, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I lSnnentof (lttorneg Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES RAUL FEDEJBICO ZIMMERMANN, OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA THERMIC INTERRUPTER FOR ELECTRTCAL CURRENT Application filed June 27, 1929, Serial No. 374,187, and in Argentina February 5, 1929.

The present invention relates to a novel thermic interrupter of electrical currents actuated by the expansion or contraction of solid members produced by temperature changes of a solid, liquid or gaseous body to which such interrupter is connected, and wherein the temperature at which the current is cut off may be varied by changing the position of a pointer on a graduated scale.

The invention also contemplates other objects which will appear hereinafter and which are set forth clearly in the appended claims. 7

I11 order that the present invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into practice, same has been represented, by way of example, on the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a lon itudinal section of the device according to t e invention.

Fig. 2 shows a view of the apparatus in the plane C,D (Fig. 1), with the member 5 in section, the drawing showing only those members engaged with the bearing points of lever 15.

v Fig. 3 is a view in the plane AB (Fig. 1), showing merely the parts connected directly to the circuit closing members.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in the plane EF of Fig. 1. t

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the variable temperature adjusting and graduating device and, finally,

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the apparatus.

Throughout these figures, like or corresponding parts are designated by similar characters of reference.

The thermic interrupter according to the present invention comprises three independent parts, viz: the member 1, the interrupter proper, and the condenser 27. p

The member 1 is that part entering in contact with the solid, liquid, or gaseous body the temperature variations of which actuate the interrupter. Within the said member 1 is placed the member 2 of the interrupter and secured with one of its ends to the base 5 by means of screw 6, and with the other end to the rod 3 at the point 4.

The member 2 has a coefficient of expansion different than that of the rod 3 so that when their temperatures'change (heat being transmitted from 1 to 2 and from 2 to 3) the free end of rod 3 is displaced relative to the end of 2 secured to 5. I

The interrupter is covered by a cap 8 se the knob 9.

A member provided with two points 14 imparts the longitudinal movement of 13 (when rotating Or when such movement is imparted by 3) to the lever 15, fulcrumed at 16 and formed of the two points 17 secured to the member 2. A. spring 18 hearing with its ends between the head of a screw 19 and lever 15 provides for the latter-being held normally in contact wit-l1 the points 17. At the end of lever 15, electrically insulated by means of plates 20, there is secured a member 21 which secures in position the bridge 22 engaging the two contacts 23 and closing the circuit between both members. The two contacts 23 are fed with current over two plates 2% traversing the cap 8 and which are provided externally thereof with terminals 25 to which are secured the wires car'ryingthe current to be out ed, to which terminals may be connected also, by means of members 26, the condenser 27 the function of which is to avoid the formation of an are on the contacts in screw 29.

Members 2 and 3 may be integral instead of being independent members, and they may be made of any adequate material.

Assuming the expansion coefficient of 2 be greater than that of 3, an increase in the temperature will produce a displacement of the free end of 3 from left to right (Fig. 1) such movement being transmitted to 13 and 14 and from the latter to lever 15 which, bearing upon the points 17, will be moved angularly, the center of such movement being at 16 and, thus, the member 22 will be moved away from 23 thereby cutting oil the feed of electrical current. Should the temperature fall, then 3, 13, and 14, will move in opposite direction and the lever 15, due to the action of spring 18, will press upon 22 and against contacts 23 establishing again the circuit.

Rotating manually the'knob 9 thisproduces a rotation of screw 13 whichis thus moved to or from the member 3, and the moment at which the current is cut off corresponds (with a certain position to the right or to the left -of the free end ofvthree (3) and,-thus, with different temperatures corresponding with .the graduations as indicated by the pointer 30 of knob 9 on the scale 31 provided at 8. By loosening the adjusting screw ,12,'the position of 13 relative to 11 may be varied, thus providing for the interrupting temperature corresponding exactly with the graduations of scale 31.

Evidently, different modifications of construction and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the present inven- :tion as clearly set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and the manner in which the same isrto be'performed, what I claim as of myexclusive in vention and proprietorship is:

1. The combination with avcircuit controllingdevice; a thermo responsive means hav- 'ing an opening near one end;ifixed fulcrums on opposite sides thereof; a lever operatively connecting the circuit controlling device and the thermo responsive-means and having in- :termediate and outer fulcrum engagingportions in a common plane, the intermediate portion entering the opening and the outer portions engaging the fixed fulcrums; and

means and enga ing the intermediate portion; and means for regulating the adjusting means.

3. The combination with a circuit controlling device; a thermo responsive means having an opening nearone end; fixedfulcrums adjacent said opening;

a lever operatively connecting the circuit controlling vdeviceand atively connecting thecircuit controlling device and the thermo responsive means and having intermediate and outer fulcrum engaging portions, the intermediate P01131011 entering rthe opening and the outer portions engaging the fixed fulcrums; adjustable; ;means carried by the thermo responsive means and engaging the intermcdiate portion; a forked member engagedon'the adjustable fulcrum means; and a manually operable rotary member eccentrically engagin the fork ofthe latter member to control the same.

5. The combination with a circuit controlling device; a thermo responsive means having an openingnear oneiend; fixed fulcrums adjacent said opening; a lever operatively coniiectingthe circuit controlling. device aiid the-thermo responsive means and having'intermediate and outer fulcrumengaging portions, the intermediate portion enteringthe opening and the outerportions engaging the fixed fulcrums; adjustable means carried by the thermo responsive means and engaging "the intermediate portion; a forked member connected to the adjust-able fulcrum means; a manually operable rotarymember eccentrically engaging the fork of "the said member to control the same; and means yieldably supporting the lever at a point beyond the fulcrums.

6.The combination with a circuit controlling device; a thermo responsive means; fixed fulcrums adjacent said means; alever operatively connecting the. circuit controlling device and the thermo i'esponsivemeans and having one end straddling one end of the latter with a. portion engaging loosely said thermo responsive means, said end of the lever being also engaged with the fixed fulcrums; adjustable means carried by the thermo responsive means to fulcrum the loosely engaged cud therewith; and regulatingmeans for the adjustable means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. RAULFEDERICO ZIMMERMANN. 

